Shawn

Hello, I am Shawn, a 57-year-old non-smoking (non-tobacco-using) former full-time college professor (now working as a project management consultant) who has a strong affinity for animals of all types.

Several years ago, I was given the opportunity to work full-time remotely, and I am now loving being a digital nomad who works full-time online.

Flexible Schedule - While I work full-time online, my schedule is flexible, so I can keep your pet's routines. My pets and I am sure yours are key family members. I will do whatever I can to ensure your feathered and furry babies are well-loved and taken care of, and you enjoy our time together.

I love having an animal on my lap, shoulder, or feet while on the computer. I also find taking breaks during the day to walk, cuddle, or play with an animal friend makes me happier and more productive. It also really adds to their lives too.

Note: Since I work online, your home must have a reliable high-speed internet connection and a desk or kitchen table large enough for a laptop and external monitor for us to be a match.

Pet sitting allows me to care for furry and feathered friends - I have always been an explorer and a traveler, and I know firsthand how stressful it can be to find the right person to take care of my home and the furry and feathered family members. I will treat your home and pets as I like to be treated.

Since I travel so much, when my last animal baby passed (of old age), I decided not to replace him. However, I still desperately miss having fur babies and my feather friends.

House and pet sitting allow me to care for and love various animals and help fill that hole in my heart.

Pet sitting also helps me to keep on traveling and exploring new areas.

About me - My Career - I earned my doctorate (in international business, specializing in helping developing and emerging market countries) and became a college professor later in life. Before that, I was a project and program manager doing technical and strategic projects. I was a faculty member and the chair of a project management degree program for quite awhile. Now I teach a few graduate courses and consult.

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Experience Traveler - I am what they call a 'slow traveler.' I like to take my time getting to know an area. Some of my favorite ways to explore someplace new is on foot alone or with a canine companion. I also make it a point to get to know the regional foods of the area and often recreate them later.

Before becoming a nomad, I would take a month or two each year to explore a new area. I started out staying in hostels, and to keep expenses down, I am still staying in hostels regularly.

Over the years, I have made it onto all seven continents and spent three to six weeks exploring about 40 countries. I have a special love for developing and emerging market countries and have been everywhere, from Zimbabwe to Antarctica.

So, I am hardy and used to traveling and taking care of things on my own. I can take care of your home and pet needs.

Family Pictures / Photography - I am also the eldest child of a career photographer and grew up in the family business. While I love nature photography and documenting life wherever I am, I am also pretty good at taking portraits. I will gladly take pictures of you, your family, and your pets as a little thank-you for choosing me. Just mention you would like some pictures when you show me around your home and walk me through your pet's needs and routines. Daylight works best for portraits, but we can turn on extra lights at night to help things out. I can take photos with your camera/cell phone or with my own.

While caring for your home, I can send regular updates and pictures of your pets so you know they are safe and happy. I strive to get a least one picture that you will cherish forever. I will also create a digital photo album of your pets for stays longer than a week.

Homeownership, Plants, and Gardens - I am a past home and condo owner. I purchased my first home shortly after graduating college at 21. Then, I had to fill the house with plants I grew from clippings since I did not have a lot of furniture or artwork. Over the years, those cuttings grew to over 200 plants in the home, a small garden, and an abundance of herbs.

I can take care of your plants, do weeding, and manage your compost pile if you have one (I have been composting since the 1980s). If you practice a low or zero waste, I can also ensure these practices are maintained while taking care of your home and family.

Background Checks - I have done a lot of charity work in my life, including starting a nonprofit for at-risk youth. Because of my charity work, I have been fingerprinted and vetted. I also have hard copies of the background checks the University ran and just had a friend run me through the background check service they use and have a copy of that to share if requested.

I Love those Feathered Friends - I love dogs and cats of all kinds, but birds are getting their own section since finding the right match with them can often be tricky. I needed someone who knew and adored birds to watch Clint, especially in his later years.
I have had birds most of my life in addition to the traditional pets (dogs, cats, hamsters, fish...). My first bird was a canary that came into the family when I was just two years old. Over the year buggies, cockatiels, and conures have been cherished members of my family.

All of our birds have been fully flighted and were out of the cage and with the family on a daily basis. So, if your feathered friends are used to being out, and that is your preference, they will be with me too.

Since I knew I would live abroad again, I have never had larger parrots with their long lifespans. However, I am comfortable with larger parrots and have always wanted chickens and ducks.

Video conference - Thank you for reading my profile. If you want me to watch after your home and pets, let's talk live to see if we are a match. I have a Zoom video conferencing account; all you need for a video chat is an internet connection and the link I sent you. I will also happily talk via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or WhatsApp.

Where am I, and where am I going?
I have a day-long meeting in Seattle every few months, so my car will be in the Pacific Northwest,

I can fly to areas if I do not need to use my car.